~HORROR MOVIE CONVENTION REVIEW~ When we pulled into the Hunt Valley Md. Marriott Hotel, I knew my sister Katie and I were in the right place. Half the parking spaces were filled with hearses, u-hauls, and company vans with names like “Boo master Productions”. The walk from the far end of the parking lot to the ticket table, makeshift graveyard, and faux walk on lawn movie theatre was a long one. Obviously the hotel was prepared. We got our weekend passes, stored our overnight gear and headed to the dealer tables. They filled a large room stuffed with collectibles and costumes, and were rented by budding authors and filmmakers (that’s a hint for those of you breaking into the industry), makeup artists, and haunt actors. We had just missed a seminar on movie makeup with Gunnar “Leatherface” Hansen, one of many on our weekend lineup, so after emptying our wallets on random horror merchandise, we headed to the celebrity room. Alice Cooper was the main attraction, generating a two-hour wait in line. But others like Doug “Pinhead” Bradley, Traci Lords, and Reggie “Phantasm” Bannister were camped out too. Most of these celebrities were pretty friendly and joined us kooky fans (young and old) at the bar, restaurant, and pool. So after some meet and greets, we finally headed to our room. Most of our neighbors in the hotel were merchandisers and convention goers, but the Marriott also accommodated a few families on vacation, and some folks on business trips. We were all treated to great amenities and awesome customer service. I dare not miss the costume contest, so after dinner my sister and some new buddies we met parked ourselves on the couch outside of the ballroom exit and whipped out our cameras. After filling a roll with Tim Burton characters, Freddy, Jason, Blacula, stilt walkers and a huge foam gargoyle, we finished the late night with a demonology seminar; which featured Amityville House dweller George Lutz. It was going on in conjunction with a theatrical séance. The séance isn’t the only thing I missed. (Author question and answers, book signings and movies like the Evil Dead, The Hills Have Eyes, and a cast reunion for Night of the Living Dead) Although I don’t feel robbed because even though the seminars focused mainly on haunted houses, they were very informative and struck a nerve in the entrepreneur in me. When the convention closed, we packed more then we came with, made our last rounds, bought our obligatory Horrorfind Weekend t-shirts and checked out of the hotel. At least we have the pictures and memories that reflected such a love of the convention that I’m turning this into a hallmark moment. Is it worth the trip? Yes. Would I go again? Definitely! So bring your stomach of steel, morbid fascinations, and sick sense of humor, and have a real Creepers Ball! ~PERSONAL POEM~ Adam had Eve under his spell, he was the snake all along. She had never known anyone else before, So he just sang the same old song. “Who should you trust? I am your only God. Make up your mind; the decision’s not hard. He handed her the fruit and expected her to eat it. Eve thought and thought and suddenly realized she was naked. Adam never expected this; he went on fully clothed. He thought Eve’s ignorance was bliss. A huge cloud passed over the garden, violent winds knocked down the trees, and then a rapid fire started. Right at that moment their world was gone, so Eve ran out of the garden, and down came all the walls. Adam didn’t run, he stayed in the place he always was. Eve then realized that she had loved a stranger, and Adam appeared to have never loved her. ~UNITY ESSAY~ The movie playing in my head is set in the 1960's. Martin Luther King is now a household name. A curse in some, but a blessing in others. I'm a ghost from the future, sent to tape over the past and I'm sitting in the hotel room of Mr. King. I get the cue from above and I knock off everything on his shelf, which creates such a loud noise Mr. King rushes in to see if everyone is ok. Just then, gunshots are fired and the room full of people once discussing a mysterious occurence, are now hitting the floor and from next to the bed, Mrs. King pulls the phone on the floor and calls the cops. My job was done. I take a quantum leap into the future, and I see Mr. King retired in his home, spending his last days w/his family. I step out the door and take a walk around his neighborhood. The houses are all beautiful. I see neighbors of all races, income, and creed, enjoying the sunshine together. Most of his neighbors have apparently already said their goodbyes, as his house is donned with cards and flowers. The local men, women, and children on the street are having a block party to kick off the summer. Suddenly somebody sees me. I thought I was invisible.....Everyone stops to turn to look at me and I'm hurled backwards in time. Back in the hotel room. I try to make the noises again, but this time it doesn't work. After fruitless efforts, I'm frozen to the sound of gunshots. The next thing I know, I'm listening to weeping and sirens. But what if-----dreams came true?
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